Collapsible electric toy

ABSTRACT

An electric collapsible toy has a cartoon figure provided with a body and two feet, two arms and a head detachably connected to the body. The arms and the head are connected by strings that are pulled or released by a transmission device including disks connected to a drive axle of the transmission device. With the differences in the arcs of the connection points of the strings on the disks, the distances the strings travels varies, which controls the assembly and disassembly of the cartoon figure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a collapsible electric toy, and more particularly to an electric toy with joints that are controlled by strings. The strings are connected to a disk and a support of a transmission device, such that when the disk pivots with respect to the transmission device, the strings are able to control the status of the toy.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Normally, an electric toy is able to either move or imitate the sound of a human or a wild animal. If the toy is able to move, generally the movement of the toy is controlled by the combination of motors and gears. If the toy is able to imitate the sound of a human or a wild animal, the sound normally is pre-recorded in a sound chip. None of the toys or patents disclose an electric toy that is able to collapse and reconstruct itself by the control of strings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary objective of the invention is to provide an improved electric toy that is collapsible and returns to an erect status by use of strings. The strings are connected to the outer edge of a disk and a support attached to a transmission device. The support is eccentrically and pivotally connected to the disk, such that the distances of the pivotal movement at the outer edge of the disk and the end of the support are not the same, which causes the strings to move different distances. With the difference in the distances the string travels, the toy is able to collapse and reconstruct itself.

[0006] Another objective of the invention is to control the transmission device by a sensor activated by sound, such that the electric toy is able to move according to the rhythm of the sound,

[0007] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electric toy in accordance with the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transmission device used in the electric toy in FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 3 is an operational side plan view of the cartoon figure on the electric toy in FIG. 1 standing upright by the control of the tension of the strings; and

[0011]FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view of the cartoon figure on the electric toy in FIG. 1 collapsed due to the pivotal movement of the disk in the transmission device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric toy in accordance with the present invention has a cartoon figure (1) and a base (2) with the cartoon figure (1) securely attached to a top face of the base (2).

[0013] The base (2) has a truncated conical housing (20) and a transmission device (3) securely mounted inside the housing (20). The transmission device (3) is composed of a motor (31), a gear assembly (32), a drive axle (33), a pair of disks (34) and a pair of supports (35). The gear assembly (32) is connected to the motor (31). The drive axle (33) is securely engaged with the gear assembly (32). Each of the disks (34) is securely connected to opposite free ends of the drive axle (33). Each of the supports (35) is pivotally connected eccentrically to opposite disks (34).

[0014] The base (2) further has a sound sensor (36) and a circuit board (37) electrically connected to the sensor (36) and the transmission device (3). With such an arrangement, the transmission device (3) is actuated by the sensor (36). That is, the motor (31) will run whenever the sensor (36) senses a sound.

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a string (40) is connected to the outer edge of the disk (34), and another string (41) is connected to the end of the support (35) that is eccentrically and pivotally connected to the disk (34). A similar pair of strings (40, 41) are attached to the other disk (34). When the drive axle (33) rotates, the disks (34) rotate and move the attachment point on the outer edge of the disk (34) and the connection point of the support (35) on the disk move along different arcs and travel different distances.

[0016] The cartoon figure (1) has a body (10), two feet (11), two arms (12) and a head (13). The two feet (11), the arms (12) and the head (13) are detachable from the body (10). The strings (40, 41) passing through the feet (11) and the body (10) into the head (13) and the arms (12) cause the cartoon figure (1) to stand erect and keep the cartoon figure (1) from completely disassembling when the cartoon figure (1) collapses.

[0017] For a better understanding of the operation of the toy, the two strings (40, 41) are respectively and securely attached to the outer edge of each one of the disks (34) and ends of the supports (35). A first string (40) is folded into halves and is securely attached to an edge of the disk (34). A first free end of the first string (40) extends into the head (13) and a second free end of the first string (40) extends into the arm closest to the disk (34). A second string (41) is folded into halves and is securely attached to a free end of the support (35). A first free end of the second string (41) extends into the head (13) to be connected to the first free end of the first string (40) in the head (13), and a second free end of the second string (41) extends into the corresponding arm (12) to be connected to the second free end of the first string (40) in the arm (12).

[0018] When the foregoing connection is completed, the rotation of the disks (34) will drive the first string (40) to change its tension. Especially with reference to FIG. 3, when the cartoon figure (1) stands upright with respect to the base (2), the first strings (40) are pulled by the disks (34). Because the tension on the first strings (40) increases, the tension on the second strings (41) also increases, which pulls the head (13), the arms (12) and the feet (11) back into contact with the body (10) and thus makes the cartoon figure (1) stand erect.

[0019] While reference to FIG. 4, it is noted that the rotation of the disks (34) loosens the tension on the first and the second strings (40,41), such that the head, (13), the arms (12) and the feet (11) detach from the body (10). When the head (13), the arms (12) and the feet (11) detach from the body (10), the cartoon figure (1) collapses. However, when the disks (34) rotate again, tension is applied to both the first string (40) and the second string (41), and the head (13), the arms (12) and the feet (11) immediately reengaged with the body (10).

[0020] The motor (31) is controlled by the sensor (36), and the disks (34) are driven by the motor (31), such that the electric toy is controlled by the sound sensor (36). That is, the user is able to make any sound to control whether the cartoon figure (1) is collapsed or in a standing position.

[0021] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric collapsible toy comprising: a cartoon figure having a body and two feet, two arms and a head detachably connected to the body; a base with the cartoon figure securely attached to a top face of the base and having a truncated conical housing and a transmission device securely mounted inside the housing, the transmission device composed of a motor, a gear assembly connected to the motor, a drive axle securely engaged with the gear assembly, a pair of disks each securely mounted on opposite free ends of the drive axle, a pair of supports each pivotally and eccentrically connected to one of the disks; a sound sensor and a circuit board electrically connected to the sensor and the transmission device; whereby the transmission device is able to be actuated by the sensor and the motor will run whenever the sensor senses a sound; and two strings each securely attached to one of the disks and the supports, a first one of the strings being folded into halves and securely engaged to an edge of the disk, a first free end of the first one of the strings extending into the head and a second free end of the first one of the strings extending into the arm closest to the disk, a second one of the strings being folded into halves and securely engaged to a free end of the support, a first free end of the second one of the strings extending into the head to be connected with the first free end of the first one of the strings in the head and a second free end of the second one of the strings extending into one of the arms to be connected with the second free end of the first one of the strings in the arm. 